No radioactive waste plans for Great Lakes

LANSING, Mich., May 16 (UPI) — Canadian energy company Bruce Power has withdrawn a request to ship nuclear waste materials to Sweden from the U.S. Great Lakes, a Michigan lawmaker said.

U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich., whose district lies near the eastern coast of Michigan, said her office was informed that Bruce Power had walked away from plans to ship 16 decommissioned steam generators laden with radioactive material through the Great Lakes region.

She said she received the information from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

“PHMSA is the agency within the U.S. which Bruce Power would have to receive approval of if they transport their shipment through U.S. territory and must comply with PHMSA’s entire review to ensure that all safety and environmental concerns are addressed before making a decision regarding this shipment,” she said in a statement.

She added she would stay in contact with PHMSA officials to make sure there is a “factual investigation” into the application should Bruce Power reapply.

The Port Huron Times Tribune reports Bruce Power put its generator plans on hold in March following months of public debate over the safety of shipping radioactive waste through the Great Lakes.